Fahleite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fahleite
Rolf Fahle
Formula:
CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O
Colour:
Yellow, grey, bright-green
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.08 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Rolf Fahle (1943– ), Munich, Germany, a mineral dealer specializing in Tsumeb minerals, who supplied the type specimen.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1436
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1436:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
33e31ef4-262b-48d6-acf2-a24e28af71e6
IMA Classification of Fahleite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1988
Classification of Fahleite
8.CH.55
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
40.5.8.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
20.3.21
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fhl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Fahleite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, grey, bright-green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
⊥ fiber length
⊥ fiber length
Density:
3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fahleite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.628(1) nβ = 1.631(1) nγ = 1.656(1)
2V:
Measured: 39° , Calculated: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.028
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak to distinct
Chemistry of Fahleite
Mindat Formula:
CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O
Crystallography of Fahleite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.4 Å, b = 11.72 Å, c = 21.9 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.546 : 1 : 1.869
Unit Cell V:
1,642.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals are curved and twisted, in fibrous bundles, to about 1.5 cm;
Comment:
point and space groups not determined
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 22 Å | (100) |
| 11 Å | (100) |
| 3.2 Å | (80) |
| 2.9 Å | (50) |
| 1.65 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Poorly crystalline; only five diffuse lines.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Fahleite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals are curved and twisted, in fibrous bundles
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Institute, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Medenbach, O., Schmetzer, K., Abraham, K. (1988) Fahleite from Tsumeb/Namibia, a new mineral belonging to the smolianinovite group. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 1988: 167-171.
Synonyms of Fahleite
Other Language Names for Fahleite
Relationship of Fahleite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Fahleite associated with Mineral GS1 (of Gebhard) | Zn, Fe, As, O, H |
| 1 photo of Fahleite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
| 8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Taranakite | (K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fahleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1436.html
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References for Fahleite
Reference List:
Localities for Fahleite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Namibia (TL) | |
| Medenbach et al. (1988) |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia